Blue text on a white background

Birthday pin-backs are traditionally worn by the birthday person themself or given as favors to guests. This button switches things up and wishes onlookers a happy birthday.

White (glow in the dark) mask on a black background

The Phantom of the Opera musical is based on the French novel Le Fantome de l’Opera by Gaston Leroux. The musical was developed by Andrew Lloyd Webber while Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe created the lyrics. The musical revolves around the Phantom’s obsession with a female soprano all while hiding his disfigurement behind a white mask. The white mask is the most well-known and iconic image for the musical. The musical opened in London’s West End in 1986 and continues to play in London and New York.

Red-orange text over an illustration of a yellow and red-orange duck with yellow text next to it on a white background

Having tonsils removed, or tonsillectomies, were common procedures for children in the United States from the 1950s through the 1970s with over a million being performed each year. This process has since seen a major decline and is no longer a standard procedure.

In March 1895, the Burnham City Hospital opened its doors to the residents of Champaign, Illinois. The idea of building a hospital was first pitched by a group of 35 women belonging to the Woman’s Social and Political Science Club. Efforts were spearheaded by Julia Burnham, the well-to-do wife of a local attorney and banker. She made an initial contribution of $10,000, which laid the financial groundwork for the nascent hospital. Burnham was hands-on with the construction process, but did not live to see the opening. She died in New York City at the age of 55, just two months after the hospital’s cornerstone ceremony.

To ensure the success of the hospital, local organizations donated various supplies. The Western Star Lodge furnished the reception room, the Catholic Young Ladies gave books and clothes, and the Urbana Lodge donated private rooms. The ventilation system was considered state-of-the-art, and the building was piped and wired for gas and electricity. An adjacent nursing school was also established in 1902 to train prospective healthcare professionals. Approximately 820 nurses have graduated from the school since its inception.

More than half a century later, the Burnham City Hospital was reconstructed in a piecemeal fashion to update the infrastructure. In spite of this tune-up, the hospital was considered a financial burden to Champaign County and was closed in the 1990s. Today, the site is home to a residential tower and grocery store.

Blue text on top of an illustration of an open book on a white background

Memory work in this case likely refers to the memorization of Bible verses and Christian worship hymns, which is an important component in many Sunday school curriculums. For example, the Children’s Memory Work was developed by the Presbyterian Church in 1963, and has since gained popularity in many churches. Under its program, children learn to memorize up to 120 Bible verses, 145 Catechism answers, and other important Christian tenets such as The Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments.

Illustration of a faucet over white text on a blue background

This is likely memorabilia worn to spread awareness in water conservation and efficiency. Water efficiency is the practice of the smart usage of water resources. People can practice water efficiency by using water-saving technologies and taking simple steps around the house. People can take steps to conserve water. Some of the approaches include fixing household leaks, turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, and using a rain barrel for outdoor watering.

Black text on a white background

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Green and white illustration of a cow in a field by trees with a building and a mountain in the background

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White text on a green background

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White text and an illustration of a hat on a red background

Sombrero derives from the Spanish word “sombra” which means shade. While many associate the hat with Mexican culture, it originates in Spain. The hat popped up in the 17th century and was appropriated into Mexican culture when the Spanish came to the Americas. Mariachi bands often wear sombreros with largee brims so that they need a chin strap to keep it on. Quincianos are work hats that are light and simple. Veintistietes are the high end sombreros that can take one month to be crafted.

Red text on a white background with a red stripe with white text. White string attached to the back

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